The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
The governor-elect was in town Tuesday night, but people in the same room might not have even been aware.
Scott Rigell, owner of Freedom Automotive in Virginia Beach and one of six Republican candidates to challenge U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, kicked off his campaign with an event at the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center.
Before his formal event, Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell arrived in the VIP reception. He spent a few minutes walking through the crowd of supporters.
During the actual kick off event, the governor-elect stayed hidden behind a black curtain before leaving early. The only acknowledgement to the crowd that he might have been there came near the end of Rigell’s speech when he congratulated McDonnell on his win and flashed two thumbs up. It turns out, the thumbs up was to McDonnell's daughter. The governor-elect had already left, said Joy Weber, Rigell's communications director.
Rigell said later that McDonnell’s attendance was not planned.
“I was truly surprised by that,” Rigell said. “It was only this morning that his security started calling my office. … He set his schedule to be here.”
While the two families have been close for years and McDonnell’s sister and daughter have endorsed Rigell, the governor-elect has not endorsed any of the six Republican candidates.
People close to McDonnell said his attendance should not be construed as an endorsement.
Lauren King, (757) 446-2309, lauren.king@pilotonline.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly indicated that McDonnell's wife, who is also named Maureen, endorsed Rigell.
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Anyone with experience in
Anyone with experience in owning a business would be welcome in Congress right now. Those of you who have never tried to run a business have absolutely no idea how cumbersome and prohibitive all the govt. mandates paperwork taxes have become. Get rid of carreer polititcians who know nothing about the real world.
The way the democrats have
been shooting themselves in the foot on Capitol Hill, I think nearly any half-decent Republican with a discernible pulse could beat the average democrat.
I think we have too many lawyers in congress already, so even a car salesman might be a nice change of pace.
fetishizing "business"
@truthjustice
I don't get the logic that insists that, simply because someone has made some (or maybe lots of) money in business, s/he will ipso facto be a good elected official. The roles simply are very different. It could be that someone makes a tone of money selling cars, or whatever, and is a real scalawag.
(e.g. http://motherjones.com/politics/2009/07/i-love-mark-uniform)
That's not to say a rich car dealer can't also be a good legislator -- and maybe Rigell, in fact, can be a good one. I just don't think you can conclude very much one way or the other, based solely on the fact of his business success.
Republican elites
"While the two families have been close for years and McDonnell’s wife and daughter have endorsed Rigell"
The elites are few. They do, however, call the shots.
It's Rigell for the GOP. If Nye is smart, he'll play hardball. I'm independent and leaning toward Rigell. Disclaimer: As a businessman I give money to both parties.
Let's hope the other hopefuls have enough money to bring up some issues that need airing.
Fair's fair
If Glen Nye can get elected as a democrat and then vote more for the republican agenda than his own people, then Scott Rigell can get elected as a republican and vote more democrat! Turnabout, and all that good stuff.
Supported Barack Obama
This is strange. Scott Rigell donated $1,000 to Obama for America in March of 2008, during Obama's primary race against Hillary Clinton.
I know businessmen sometimes find it necessary to bite the bullet and provide support in both political directions, that's how the real world works. But there is no corresponding donation to GOP candidates in the presidential cycle. Not a nickel to McCain or anyone else.
What's the deal? About 99 percent of his donations go to conservative GOP'ers, fine'n'dandy, but why a $1K check to Obama? Why not just sit it out? He also has stroked checks to Louise Lucas, of all people.
I'm open to some rational explanation for all that. And a clear explanation, not some political tap-dance.
Sometimes it makes sense
Sometimes it makes sense to support someone who is obviously going to be the winner.
And, as they always say "Politics makes strange bedfellows."
True, but ...
You're absolutely right in theory, Beach Boy -- but -- in March '08 it was nowhere near clear that Obama would beat Clinton, let alone beat the GOP nominee, who hadn't been determined at that point. There was a point in early spring when Hillary seemed to have him on the ropes. That's why I'm scratchin' my head.
The only way we can know is if Mr. Rigell would explain his thinking. Perhaps he has a viable explanation.
Nice try
Since you are liberal to the core as evidenced by many of your posts on pilot-online, the only purpose for your query is to stir the pot. That is fine, but Scott is a conservative. You wanted to know what he stands for...there it is.
That is *so* funny, thanx ...
Let's review:
I didn't give a tin nickel (or a vote) to Obama, Clinton or any other Democrat in '08, yet you strangely claim I'm a "liberal."
Rigell stiffed *every* GOP presidential candidate and gave $1K to Obama, yet you claim he's a "conservative."
Your "logic" has me truly ROFLMAO!
Thanx for the laughs. Hah. Grrppxzzrpp. Hah.